They're Really Not That Gross!: Cleaning Cloth Diapers and You

Because they're filled with poop, many people are intimidated by cloth diapers. But as anyone who reared cloth diaper-wearing kids can tell you, they're really not a big deal -- as long as you know how to clean them! Take this quiz to see if you have the knowledge to take on the challenge of cloth diapers.

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Question 1 of 10

True or false: You can use any kind of detergent when washing cloth diapers.

true

false

You really want to be careful with the kind of detergent you use when washing cloth diapers. Avoid using detergents with additives or bleach, and don't even use a fabric softener, as this will decrease the diapers' absorbency.

Yes, but only if you have cotton diapers.

Question 2 of 10

What is the wet pail method?

Diapers are stored in a pail of bleach before washing.

Diapers are stored in a pail of water before washing.

The wet pail method is exactly what it sounds like: a special pail that's partially filled with water in which diapers are soaked before washing.

Dirty diapers are quickly dunked in a pail of water then put back on the child.

Question 3 of 10

What is a diaper sprayer?

a gadget that you can use to spray your diapers dry after washing

a tool that you can use to spray the solid waste off of the diaper and into the toilet

A diaper sprayer is a handy tool that you can hook to your toilet to spray the solid waste from the diaper into the toilet. It resembles the detachable water faucets that are in many kitchen sinks.

a machine that shoots out diapers in a random pattern

Question 4 of 10

How do you strip a cloth diaper?

Wash it with double the amount of recommended laundry detergent.

Wash it in a hot water cycle with no detergent.

If your cloth diapers get a buildup of detergent, you will need to strip them in order to get their absorbency levels back to normal. To do this, send the diapers through a hot wash cycle without using detergent. Then rinse them until there are no bubbles in the water.

Just remove the poop!

Question 5 of 10

True or false: You don't need to wash new cloth diapers before putting them on your baby.

true

false

You will want to wash your cloth diapers at least once before using them. Depending on the brand and the material they're made of, you may need to wash them multiple times before putting them on your baby, as this removes some chemicals and increases absorbency.

Question 6 of 10

How much detergent should you use when washing cloth diapers?

25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount

You want to use a quarter to half the recommended amount of detergent to prevent buildup. Detergent buildup is one of the leading causes of decreased absorbency in cloth diapers.

50 to 75 percent of the recommended amount

the normal amount

Question 7 of 10

How often should you wash a load of cloth diapers?

every day

every two days

You should wash a load of cloth diapers every two to three days to prevent odors and stains.

every six days

Question 8 of 10

How many times should you wash hemp diapers before their first use?

one to two times

three to four times

five to six times

When first purchased, diapers made of cotton or hemp should be washed at least five to six times before use. This helps remove some of the chemicals and increase absorbency.

Question 9 of 10

True or false: You can add baking soda to the prewash cycle to help eliminate odors.

true

If you need extra help eliminating odors, add baking soda or vinegar to the prewash cycle.

false

Question 10 of 10

True or false: You shouldn't use diaper rash creams when using cloth diapers.

true

You should avoid using diaper rash creams because they tend to stain diapers.